A man who was caught with a motorcycle that was reported stolen was lucky enough to receive a suspended sentence when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Horatio Walker, a 24-year-old farmer from Penlyne Castle, St Thomas, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property before Resident Magistrate Glen Brown.

The court was told that the motorcycle was stolen from the New Kingston area on March 12, and was found in Walker's possession on March 15. Walker's attorney, however, told the court that his client had purchased the bike from a man who frequently visited the area selling motorbikes. Walker reportedly paid $35,000 for the bike. While admitting that his client's actions were foolish, the attorney begged for lenience, telling the court that Walker was naive and had made a mistake.

His plea had some effect as RM Brown sentenced Walker to nine months' imprisonment at hard labour, suspended for nine months.